girltalk Blog
A few weeks ago, at a meeting with the small group leaders he serves, my husband Brian interviewed Tony Reinke and his wife Karalee about their family devotions. Tony shared three “big picture” goals and some very helpful practical ideas as well. I was inspired by this couple’s passion to train their children in the gospel and excited to try some of their practices. And I immediately thought of how much you all would love to hear this as well. So listen to this two-minute clip and get ready to start tonight! (P.S. Thanks to Dave Wilcox at CLC for his efforts to get us this clip, in spite of a computer crash.) FAMILY DEVOTIONS with Tony & Karalee Reinke (Brian’s notes from Tony’s comments) 1. Remind your kids of the Gospel. Ways to do this: a) Reading the Jesus Storybook bible helps them to anticipate and/or encounter Christ in each section of Scripture b) Sing The Gospel Song c) Read from the Gospels. Doing this has helped their children go to bed thinking of their need for a Savior and God’s gracious provision. 2. Teach them the storyline of the Bible Although it’s 66 books, the bible provides one clear and coherent storyline. Children’s bibles like the Jesus Storybook Bible and The Big Picture Story Bible do a great job reinforcing this. 3. Teach them to cultivate gratefulness. End the evening giving thanks to God and praying those who have less or who are suffering.
What if I say the wrong thing?
What if I can’t answer her questions?
What if I totally botch the conversation?
These were just a few of the fearful questions swirling around in my brain last week as I anticipated 1:00 PM on Thursday. This was the time I had arranged to meet with an unbeliever who wanted to ask me questions about God.
Come Thursday morning I “happened” to check a blog I occasionally read and here was the post for that day:
Election Fuels Evangelism
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (AC 18.9-11)
Election and evangelism work together. God had chosen many in Corinth – he called them “my people” – though they were not yet saved. Because they were elect, God told Paul not to fear but keep proclaiming the gospel. Far from producing apathy, God’s sovereignty fueled Paul’s evangelism.
God has people all around us that he sees as saved. Let’s go on speaking and not be silent.
My apprehension immediately lifted.
This woman’s salvation was not dependent on me. God is the one who saves.
I simply needed to speak.
So speak I did. I certainly wasn’t eloquent. In fact, I don’t think I did a very good job.
Yet my deficiencies didn’t seem to diminish this woman’s interest. Even though she didn’t put her trust in Jesus Christ, she’s responding. She’s seeking.
Sitting in Starbucks that Thursday afternoon, my heart thrilled to think that perhaps she is one of God’s elect. And however feeble my effort, I know God was with me—he gave me grace to speak and not be silent.
Today we’re excited to launch The 52home Project here at girltalk.
Every weekday for the next 52 weeks, Janelle will post a picture of ordinary life—our ordinary lives—as seen through the lense of her camera.
Ordinary is where we all live most of the time. And yet our mundane, repetitive days are full of enduring work. Homes are being built. Families are being knit together. Little souls are being shaped for eternity.
The tedious is, in fact, momentous—when done for the sake of Christ: “…so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10).
This truth can get lost in piles of laundry and dirty dishes. We need help to see the glory peaking out from behind the ordinary.
Our hope is that you’ll see your own ordinary, yet glorious life in these pictures. That you’ll glimpse the faithfulness of God that undergirds his faithful ones. That you’ll see reflections of the eternal in the everyday.
“So teach us to number our days that we will get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
11:55 a.m.
We have Tony Reinke to thank for these “Men Can Fix Anything” pictures (more to come next week!).
As he rightly observed, words are not needed…
Nicole for the girltalkers
Sunday concludes our 28-day challenge for the 5 O’Clock Club and the FAM Club. As of today, we have 959 members of The 5 O’Clock Club and 378 members of The FAM Club. Even if you didn’t participate in the challenge, you can still join the clubs at any time.
It’s been so exciting to hear from so many of you about how God has given you grace in your times of meeting with Him and in praying for your family. Please continue to share your testimonies for the encouragement of us all. You can submit a testimony for the clubs, and we’ll post them periodically as well.
Whatever growth in grace we’ve experienced this past month, may God receive all the glory!
“We glorify God, when we give God the glory of all that we do. So when we have done anything praiseworthy, we must hide ourselves under the veil of humility, and transfer the glory of all we have done to God.” Thomas Watson
“Lord…all that we have accomplished you have done for us.” Isaiah 26:12
(Friday Funnies coming later today)
(UPDATE 2/26:Links are fixed!)
My three little guys enjoy competition. Actually, truth be told, they LOVE to win. Games in our home are quite loud, filled with much laughter, and well, more then a few opportunities for sanctification!
Recently our good friends, Don and Trish, passed down some games their children had outgrown. One particular game, Hands Down, has become a new family favorite.
Hands Down is a simple card game, easy enough for my 6 year old to understand and yet competitive enough to intrigue my 10 year old. It’s perfect for a family night, or if you’re snowed in (like we’ve been a lot lately!) or looking for something to keep your kids busy.
If games could talk, this one might ask to be sent back to its original owners. Hands Down arrived in pristine condition—all pieces assembled and box fully intact. It had enjoyed a peaceful existence. But it has not fared so well in our home. The box is already damaged and I’ve had to tape some of the cards back together.
But hey, that’s life at the Chesemores!
2010 at 10:18 am | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
The FAM Club
A reader, also named Nicole, sent in this FAM Club testimony:
Today has been such an amazing day. As a matter of fact, this week in general has been the highlight of my walk with the Lord (besides my conversion).
I am always asking the Lord to reveal himself to me, “Lord show me who you are, show me your glory.” I really believe the Lord has answered those prayers many times, but I haven’t always been paying attention.
On this 28-day FAM Club challenge, I am just in amazement of what the Lord has revealed to me. Its amazing what fasting does—this week I have been so sensitive to so many things in my life due to this time of discipline and prayer.
Just last night, as I was fighting away hunger pains and trying to go to sleep, I begin to pray for my family, calling some by name, some not. About 30 minutes later, I get a text around one o’clock in the morning from a cousin I was just praying for! She begins to share with me how she is running from the Lord and really wants to become a Christian. I am in awe. The Lord hears my prayers!
I know every case may not work out in this way, but mine did. The Lord revealed himself again, except this time I was so focused on prayer and fasting, that I was sensitive to pay attention. I shared the gospel with her again and invited her to come hang out with me and another young girl whom I meet with for Bible study.
It was neat to see her today, I have not seen her in 8 years! I shared my testimony of what my life was really like before Christ and even heard her story of wanting to walk with the Lord and not knowing how to let go of all of her competing loves. Oh, please pray she would be set free by knowing the truth—that God can change her, she can’t change herself!
We spent hours talking, even after Starbucks was closed. God has indeed reminded me that His arm is not to short to save. He has a plan for my cousin’s life. I can’t wait to watch it unfold!
2010 at 12:37 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Motherhood
At eighteen months, my sweet baby MJ is “coming into her own.” Theologically speaking, the doctrine of sin is on full display in her little life. Despite a limited vocabulary, she has no trouble communicating her demands or displeasures. Screams will suffice.
So when Mom shared this quote with me the other day, I had to smile—and thank God for the transforming effect of the gospel:
“Oftentimes parenting can feel like a battle. And the “enemy” is your two-year-old who’s just thrown their dinner on the floor (again); or your fifteen-year-old, who’s just slammed the door on you (again). But still your job is to show them what our Father in heaven is like. Yes, they need to learn to live under authority. But they also need to learn of a God who welcomes His enemies, loves His enemies and gives His life for his enemies.” (Gospel Centred Family by Tim Chester and Ed Moll)
As you march toward mothering battles today, may God give you grace to welcome, love, and give your life for your little (or not so little) “enemy”—as Christ first loved and gave Himself for you.
When we suffer, our first question is often “Why?”
Why me? Why this? Why now?
These are the questions Karen Sunday wanted to ask when she was recently diagnosed with cancer. But her husband, pastor David Sunday, encouraged her to ask some different questions:
Who are you, Lord?
What do you want to teach us about Yourself?
and,
How do you want to use us for Your glory?
Read about this pastor’s loving counsel to his wife in the midst of severe suffering. And please pray for this godly couple.
May God give us all grace to ask these God-glorifying questions.
The Right and Wrong Questions to Ask When You Get Cancer
On Suffering and Asking Who, What, and Where—Not Necessarily Why
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